Woman assaults former girlfriend and chokes 1-year-old boy in Ypsilanti Township apartment, police say
Washtenaw County sheriff's deputies say a South Carolina woman choked a 1-year-old boy at an Ypsilanti Township apartment Saturday morning after assaulting a woman she used to date and the woman's sister.
After the victims locked themselves in a bedroom, deputies say the woman trashed the apartment and attempted to set fire to it, but was arrested.
Lashenda Sade Lucas, 23, of Conway, is charged with two counts each of assault with intent to murder and assault with intent to do great bodily harm less than murder. She also is charged with attempted arson, assault with a dangerous weapon, aggravated assault, domestic violence, assault and battery, malicious destruction of a building and malicious destruction of personal property.
Lucas was arraigned Sunday at the Washtenaw County Jail, where she is being held on a $75,000 cash bond, records show. According to Washtenaw County Sheriff's Department spokesman Derrick Jackson, Lucas was recently living in Superior Township and had been drinking prior to the attack.
Deputies say Lucas walked into the apartment in the 100 block of Russell Boulevard at about 1:45 a.m. Saturday and assaulted her 22-year-old former girlfriend, who was sleeping on a couch. According to Jackson, Lucas punched the victim several times in the face.
After the victim got away, Jackson said Lucas assaulted the victim's 19-year-old sister. At one point, Jackson said, Lucas grabbed the sister's 1-year-old son and began choking him.
Lucas trashed the apartment, including damaging a microwave, deputies said, and unsuccessfully attempted to set fire to it. According to Jackson, none of the victims suffered serious injuries.
Lucas is scheduled to return to court Nov. 17.
Lee Higgins covers crime and courts for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached by phone at (734) 623-2527 and e-mail at leehiggins@annarbor.com.
Comments
katie
Thu, Nov 11, 2010 : 3:25 p.m.
I agree that this is more about choking a one-year old child. That's the key issue here. That's horrible. The DV is not unimportant, but the child was defenseless and that's way more important.
cinnabar7071
Wed, Nov 10, 2010 : 8:03 p.m.
"There's no excuse for violence against women!"? I think this woman just proved you wrong.
joe average
Wed, Nov 10, 2010 : 5:38 p.m.
I am bemused by the lack of outrage over the assault of a one-year old child, considering the outpouring of indignation over the shaking of a parrot a few weeks ago. "In case you haven't noticed, human life is cheap in Casablanca."
Speechless
Wed, Nov 10, 2010 : 1:29 p.m.
"...Their is no excuse for violence against women! even if it is done by another women!" Going back a number of years, advocates for victims of domestic violence, as a group, had difficulty acknowledging violent acts among same-sex couples, especially women. But that ceased to be the case a long time ago.
bunnyabbot
Wed, Nov 10, 2010 : 12:37 p.m.
how scary for the 2 women victims and then to know that she went after the baby. I am not even a mother but if I were and someone laid a hand on my baby I would go primal. Hope the woman gets the book thrown at her.
RJA
Wed, Nov 10, 2010 : 11:25 a.m.
Am so glad nobody was seriously injured. Tried to choke a 1 year old child? Wonder what her record looks like in SC. She will probably be here in York Twp. (unless there is a way to send her back home) to serve her time.
djm12652
Wed, Nov 10, 2010 : 11:18 a.m.
@Somewhatconcerned...you are right, however, except as a mother I think had someone, male or female, caused any harm toward my 1 year old child, I probably would have resorted to some form of violence myself, wait I take that back, I don't think, I know I would have.
Somewhat Concerned
Wed, Nov 10, 2010 : 10:48 a.m.
"There's no excuse for violence against women!" As opposed to violence against men, cats and dogs. Is there an excuse for violence?
robyn
Wed, Nov 10, 2010 : 10:22 a.m.
I would also think that she would be charged with all of the harshness of a man who has done the same thing... Choking a baby because you're mad. Sick sick people.
Dot
Wed, Nov 10, 2010 : 10:05 a.m.
As another woman; I hope she receives the same punishment that a man would receive (not that that's always enough, but that's another story). Relationship aside, this isn't your everyday girly "cat fight". Anyone. who at 23 years old, is capable of this kind of rage needs a good long "time-out" with someone who is a better match than the 1 year old she choked - if ya know what I mean! Gender-neutral punishment needed. I'd love to track this criminal's next 20 years and see what she's up to. I think we can all place a pretty good bet on the odds.
Jay Allen
Wed, Nov 10, 2010 : 9:41 a.m.
Sometimes I read a story and just shake my head. I think to myself "WOW"!!! This is one of'em.......
xmo
Wed, Nov 10, 2010 : 9:22 a.m.
Their is no excuse for violence against women! even if it is done by another women!
RoboLogic
Wed, Nov 10, 2010 : 8:46 a.m.
Agreed.
redwingshero
Wed, Nov 10, 2010 : 8:20 a.m.
Choking a 1 year old? That's an all time low. Let's go after someone who can't defend themself. I don't care who you are/how big you are, she's lucky the mother didn't "take care of her" after seeing her attempt that. I know what would have done if that was my daughter.Sure we can all agree to that.
smokeblwr
Wed, Nov 10, 2010 : 8:19 a.m.
Angry drunks are the worst.
cinnabar7071
Wed, Nov 10, 2010 : 7:49 a.m.
WOW! What happened to sugar and spice and everything nice?